Sikeston's Andrew Lambert earns men's indoor track award

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Kay Ehlke and Chuck McElroy were not the most decorated or recognized Southeast Missouri State University athletes over the past four years.

But Ehlke and McElroy more than distinguished themselves in the classroom.

Tuesday night, that pair earned the top individual honors during Southeast's annual All Sports Year End Celebration at the Show Me Center. The event was sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Ehlke and McElroy won the Trombetta and Jewell awards, respectively, given each year to the graduating senior female and male athletes with the highest grade point averages for their career.

Ehlke, a tennis player from Casey, Ill., attained academic perfection during her four years at Southeast with a 4.0 GPA while majoring in health management.

"I did really well in high school, but I never really set out to get a 4.0 in college," Ehlke said. "But I've always tried to do my best and I've always had high expectations. I never really thought about it, but when it got later in my college career, I really wanted to do it."

Ehlke had a solid if undistinguished tennis career at Southeast, earning team MVP honors the past three seasons, although the Otahkians have been rebuilding for several years and have consistently finished toward the bottom of the Ohio Valley Conference standings.

"I've really enjoyed my tennis here," she said.

Ehlke also figures to enjoy the summer internship she has lined up. She will work in South Korea as a Navy civilian helping set up sports and fitness programs for sailors and their families. And next year she plans to attend graduate school.

"I really don't know what I want to do yet with my career, but I really enjoy health and fitness and I'm sure I'll be involved with that," she said.

McElroy, a football player from Tupelo, Miss., did not have a perfect GPA but he wasn't too far off with a 3.82 in finance. "It's definitely a very good honor to win this award," McElroy said.

McElroy, a tight end, caught just 12 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns during his four seasons with the Indians. But as a recruit during coach Tim Billings' first season at Southeast, McElroy played a role in helping turn the program around.

"It's been great here for both ends, academics and football," McElroy said. "It was definitely good to see the program get going while I was here."

McElroy plans to return to Southeast next year to begin work toward a master's degree.

Also recognized Tuesday were junior basketball player Derek Winans, who became Southeast's first Academic All-American, as he has compiled a perfect 4.0 GPA in business management; and track/cross country athlete Lindsay Zeiler, the NCAA Foundation Leadership winner who has been selected to attend the 2004 NCAA Leadership Conference later in Orlando, Fla. Zeiler will join 324 student-athletes who have been tabbed as current or future leaders on their college campuses and were selected from a pool of more than 1,175 nominees.

Participants will attend the conference to discuss key issues in intercollegiate athletics and to enhance their leadership skills.

Football player Derek Kutz, gymnastics athlete Alexis Traylor and track athletic Alonzo Nelson were recognized as Foundation Leadership finalists.

Awards were presented for each of the men's and women's sports at Southeast.

Sikeston's Adam Lambert was named the KZIM MVP Award winner for field events in men's indoor track. The sophomore has competed in the high jump, long jump and triple jump while in college.